Aristotle's Definition Of A Tragedy
Submitted by on January 1, 1999
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According to Aristotle, a tragedy is defined by a number of characteristics. The plot must have a major changing point in which a discovery is made and there must be suffering. (Aristotle 638). The main character must also be good, appropriate, realistic, and consistent. The people must be able to sympathize with him (Aristotle 643). Using this definition of tragedy, one can apply it and come to the conclusion that Pericles' life was tragic and Socrates' not.
The changing point of Pericles rule was when he decided to help the Corinthian breakaways (Kish 77). This act was not seen in good light by Corinth, and in 432 BCE,
they convinced Sparta that Athens was fast becoming a threat to their state. Pericles did not think that anything bad could happen to his beloved Athens and so was caught by surprise when Sparta declared war on them. Socrates, however, had no...